By Blake Jackson
A major controversy is unfolding in rural Oldham County, Kentucky, where a proposed $6 billion hyperscale data center has met stiff resistance from local residents. The project, led by Western Hospitality Partners, would span 2 million square feet and use 600 megawatts of electricity—ten times the entire county’s current usage.
Promoters claim the project will create thousands of construction jobs, 176 permanent positions, and generate over $50 million in annual tax revenue. However, locals fear the massive scale will destroy the area’s peaceful, agricultural charm.
Residents are especially alarmed by the company's use of a “private utility” designation to bypass the county’s traditional rezoning process. This label allows the project to move forward without approval from the elected fiscal court, leading to accusations of exploiting legal loopholes.
State Senator Lindsey Tichenor and grassroots group We Are Oldham County have voiced strong opposition.
“It's a way to abuse the system and prey on a community that's not prepared for hyperscale data centers,” said Tichenor. “It is an absolutely horrible location.”
They argue that the site, surrounded by farms and homes, is not suitable for heavy industrial use. Concerns include noise from 150 diesel generators, round-the-clock lighting, and potential pollution from long-term construction.
While neighboring counties have welcomed data centers on industrial-zoned land, critics say Oldham lacks the infrastructure to support such a project. Still, state lawmakers recently expanded tax breaks for data centers, fueling fears that more rural areas may soon face similar developments.
The project's backers say the location is ideal due to nearby power lines and fiber connectivity. But many residents remain skeptical, worried about falling property values, rising utility rates, and environmental consequences.
As the county's board of adjustment prepares to review the application, the outcome may set a precedent for how such large-scale tech projects are handled in rural America.
Local voices continue to urge transparency, proper zoning, and community respect before transforming farmland into one of the world’s largest data centers.
Photo Credit: gettyimage-jamesbrey
Categories: Kentucky, Business